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It's hard to believe we are only a week away from prep football getting underway in Ohio.
A week from today, area programs Waterford and Frontier open at home. The Wildcats play host to Alexander and the Cougars welcome in fellow Buckeye State program Bridgeport.
Things are a week behind here in West Virginia, but I made my second official visit for media day on Saturday morning at Stadium Field.
Second-year Parkersburg head coach Matt Kimes knows it's going to be another difficult season in terms of dealing with the powers in the Mountain State Athletic Conference, but there's little question he's cautiously optimistic about the upcoming campaign.
"For us, I don't feel like you can key on one guy," said the coach, who has senior David Parsons returning at quarterback. "David is a very capable runner. I mean he's 6-3, 220. He's a big old kid and he's going to be as big as the linebackers and bigger than the defensive backs, so we are going to ask him to run between the tackles a little bit.
"Get those tough yards at times and he's excited about that opportunity. In our offense, where we're a lot of run-pass option stuff we do and spread the field, he's going to have opportunities to make plays with his arms and legs. Defensive coordinators are going to have some issues to figure out who they are going to try and key on against us."
Parkersburg's running game is expected to be improved this year.
Former Marietta Tiger Jakel Shelton came in midway through last season. PHS also will have ex-Warren standout Jason Williams in the backfield.
"They've really made the change seamless," admitted Kimes. "They've been coming in here with a workmanlike attitude and just trying to do whatever the team needs. No expectations of I need this or I'm not going to be happy. I think they are both just team guys and understanding that their role is really a prominent one on the team.
"What I've been happy with is they've been hanging out with each other outside of the locker room. They are forming the friendship and rooting for each other and pulling for each other to have great successful seasons. There's no denying when the ball is in their hands they are going to be explosive and powerful and make plays. I'm excited to watch them play a full season against our schedule."
If the Big Reds are to reach the triple-A postseason for the first time since 2019, the red and white will need to find a way to stay healthy and also build depth.
Kimes said one of the things he stresses to his players without a starting role is they are always just one play away and to be mentally prepared.
"Also, if you're not happy with your role there's a couple different ways to handle that," he said.
"Number one, don't pout. Don't have a bad attitude. Don't slouch because that's proving to us that we are making the right decision by not giving you that role. Prove us wrong. Go crazy in practice. Show everything you can when your opportunity, your number, is called, and give great effort.
"I think a lot of times what we are looking for for depth is do you know what you are supposed to do if we have to put you in there. That's what we are looking for because a lot of times talent-wise it's kind of close on the backups and we are going to play the guy we trust to go in there and do the right things."
As complicated as the game of football can be, it's also pretty basic in its most simplistic form.
Kimes also has been stressing to his players the need for everyone to be accountable.
"I feel like they are understanding what we are trying to do offensively and executing at a high level," said the coach. "That's a big part of it, being able to know what you do. That's the greatest thing about this sport, right?
"Ten guys can do their job and one guy doesn't and it's not a successful play. That's why it's a total team sport. That's why it's the greatest game and you got to have all 11 guys clicking."
Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com